Kuwait proposes roadmap to boost bilateral ties, cooperation

Bangladesh and Kuwait jointly took decision to create a roadmap to bolster bilateral relations and mutual cooperation in various sectors. 

The decision came up following a meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday (September 21) local time.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen informed this while talking to reporters at hotel Lotle New York Palace following the meeting. 

“Bangladesh and Kuwait has long bilateral ties. He (Kuwait Prime Minister) thinks, Bangladesh and Kuwait will create a roadmap, an actionable plan for next five years. This will boost relations between the two nations, more projects would be taken,” AK Abdul Momen said.

Terming the meeting ‘very fruitful’ Momen said, the foreign ministries of the two countries will work details on creating the roadmap. The talks in coming days will feature the ground of mutual cooperation.

“We have run multiple projects with Kuwaiti fund. They are planning to invest a refinery plant in Bangladesh. Prime Minister said, certainly we will give land. So, we are marching forward,” the foreign minister furthered.

Referring to the historical relations between Bangladesh and Kuwait Momen said, “We have long ties since the then Kuwaiti foreign minister and later Amir invited father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in to take part in OIC conference.”

Mentioning the country’s fund state minister Md. Shahriar Alam said, the first phase of the country’s fund was spent in developing infrastructure of local government engineering department, various municipalities and upazilas. The second phase worth about $100 million is at the final stage.

Sheikh Hasina earlier held another bilateral meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who earned a global repute of being a famous workers leader in the contemporary world.

Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, Prime Minister's press secretary Ihsanul Karim and Bangladesh's permanent representative to the United Nations Rabab Fatima were present at the briefing at Hotel Lotte New York Palace.